How much does a local move cost?

Local moves are typically billed hourly. A 1-bedroom apartment usually runs $400-$1,000; a 2-3 bedroom home $800-$2,500; larger homes $2,000-$5,000+. Hourly rates vary widely by city and demand season.

How much does a long-distance move cost?

Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance. For a 2-bedroom move across 1,000 miles, expect $3,000-$7,000. A full 4-bedroom cross-country move can run $8,000-$15,000+. Peak season (May-September) adds 20-30%.

How far in advance should I book a mover?

For local moves, book 4-6 weeks ahead. For long-distance moves, 6-12 weeks ahead. During peak season (May through September) and at month-end, book even earlier — good movers sell out.

How do I check if a moving company is licensed?

For interstate moves, every legitimate carrier must have a USDOT number registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Look up any company at fmcsa.dot.gov to verify licensing, insurance, and complaint history. For intrastate moves, check your state's department of transportation.

What is valuation coverage?

It's the mover's liability for damaged or lost items. Federal law requires interstate movers to offer two options: Released Value Protection (free, but only $0.60 per pound per item) and Full Value Protection (paid, replaces or repairs items at current market value). Released-value is rarely enough — even a broken TV could be reimbursed at $30 instead of $800.

Movers, Moving & Storage — How to Find a Licensed Mover

Start Here

Moving is one of the most common consumer-fraud categories tracked by federal regulators. The good news: almost every moving scam follows a small set of patterns, and a 10-minute check at FMCSA's "Protect Your Move" database screens out most bad actors.

Below: how to find a licensed mover, get an accurate quote, time your booking, recognize red flags, and know what your moving payment actually covers.

How to Choose a Reputable Mover

Four steps. Skip any of them and you raise your risk significantly.

Step 1

Verify the license

Every interstate mover must have a USDOT number registered with the federal government. Look it up at FMCSA SAFER — you'll see their authority status, insurance, and complaint history. For local moves, check your state's department of transportation.

Step 2

Get 3+ in-home estimates

Have at least three companies walk through your home (or do a video walkthrough) before quoting. Phone or email-only estimates based on a rough item count are the #1 setup for "the price doubled when the truck arrived" scams. Legitimate movers prefer in-person estimates too.

Step 3

Check reviews carefully

Look at Google, BBB, and the FMCSA's complaint database. Read the negative reviews specifically — that's where the patterns show. Be wary of companies with only 5-star reviews from accounts with no other activity (a common fake-review tell).

Step 4

Read the contract

Understand binding vs non-binding estimates, your valuation coverage choice, the delivery window, and payment terms. Never sign a blank or partially-blank contract. If anything is unclear, get it in writing before moving day.

Red Flags — Walk Away If You See These

Quote given over phone or email only, with no in-home or video walkthrough.
Large cash deposit demanded upfront, especially before they've even loaded a box. Reputable movers don't need a big deposit.
No physical address, no USDOT number on their website, or unlicensed under their stated name.
"Name on the truck" doesn't match the company you hired. A common scam: the booking company is a broker; the actual movers are unlicensed subcontractors.
Refuses to give a written estimate, or pressures you to sign right now without time to read.
Asks you to sign blank or incomplete paperwork — this is the setup for held-hostage shipments.
Suspiciously low quote. The cheapest bid is often the one that grows by 50–200% on delivery day.

If a mover holds your belongings hostage demanding more money after pickup, file a complaint immediately with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database and your state attorney general.

Local vs. Long-Distance Moves

Different rules, different pricing, different regulators.

Same state, short distance

Local Moves

Billed by the hour — rate × number of movers × truck
Regulated by state authorities, not the federal government
Typical day: 4–10 hours door-to-door
Tipping: $20–$40 per mover for a half-day, $40–$80 for a full day
Easier to verify reputation since the company is nearby

Across state lines

Long-Distance Moves

Billed by weight and distance, plus accessorials (stairs, long carry, packing)
Regulated by FMCSA — every carrier needs a USDOT number
Delivery is a window, not a date — typically 2–14 days
Tipping: $50–$100+ per mover at delivery
Get a binding-not-to-exceed estimate when possible

What a Move Actually Costs

Ballpark ranges. Your actual cost depends on city, season, weight, distance, and access (stairs, elevators, long carries from the truck).

Local Moves (same metro area)

Studio / 1-Bedroom

$400–$1,000 2–3 movers, 3–5 hours

The least variable category. Most local moves of this size finish in a single half-day with two movers.

2–3 Bedroom Home

$800–$2,500 3–4 movers, 5–8 hours

Adds complexity: more furniture, more boxes, often disassembly of beds and tables. A full-day job.

4+ Bedroom Home

$2,000–$5,000+ 4–6 movers, 8–12 hours

Often requires two trucks or two trips. Specialty items (pianos, large safes, art) add fees.

Long-Distance Moves (state-to-state)

1-Bedroom, 1,000 mi

$1,500–$3,500 weight + distance based

Often shared-trailer service (your goods ride with other shipments) for the lowest tier.

2-Bedroom, 1,000 mi

$3,000–$7,000 weight + distance based

The most common case. Cross-country can double this. Peak season (May–Sept) adds 20–30%.

4-Bedroom Cross-Country

$8,000–$15,000+ often dedicated truck

Usually a full truck dedicated to your shipment, faster delivery window, more services.

Moving Timeline

When to do what. Working backward from move day.

8–12 wks out

For long-distance moves, start getting estimates now. Good movers sell out during peak season (May–September). Begin decluttering — you pay to move every pound.

6–8 wks out

Book your mover with a signed contract. Get a written binding estimate where possible. Order supplies (boxes, tape, packing paper) or arrange packing service.

4–6 wks out

Local move bookings should be confirmed by now. Notify utilities of disconnect/connect dates. Start the change-of-address process at USPS.com.

2–4 wks out

Start packing non-essentials (out-of-season clothes, books, decor). Confirm valuation coverage choice with your mover. Take photos of valuable items before they're packed.

1 wk out

Pack daily essentials last. Disassemble furniture you can. Reserve the elevator or loading dock at both ends. Pull cash for tips and a "first-day box" (toiletries, chargers, snacks, paperwork).

Move day

Be present at both pickup and delivery. Walk through the inventory list with the movers. Do not sign the bill of lading until you've verified your items — signing waives a lot of damage-claim rights.

Valuation Coverage Explained

The single most-misunderstood thing on a moving contract. Get this wrong and a damaged TV pays out $30 instead of $800.

Free, but minimal

Released Value Protection

Free by federal law. Pays $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-pound TV pays $30 regardless of its actual value. A 30-pound laptop pays $18. Almost never the right choice for anyone with possessions of normal value.

Paid, but real

Full Value Protection

Costs roughly 1%–2% of declared shipment value. Mover must repair, replace, or pay current market value for damaged or lost items. Choose this for any move with electronics, furniture, or anything you'd be sad to lose. Read the deductible and exclusion fine print.

Self-Storage Considerations

Sometimes a move and a storage need overlap. A few things worth knowing before you sign.

Climate control matters

Standard units bake in summer and freeze in winter. For electronics, wood furniture, photos, books, art, or instruments, pay the extra ~25–50% for climate-controlled storage. For tools, sporting goods, and plastic bins of clothes, standard is usually fine.

Size up, not down

Storage companies will quote you the smallest unit you can technically fit into. Get one size up if your budget allows — you'll save time arranging items and have access to what's in the back.

Watch for rate hikes

Most storage companies use loss-leader pricing — cheap first month or two, then steep increases at 6 and 12 months. Read the contract for how often rates can change. Many tenants pay 30–50% more by year two than the headline rate.

Insurance is usually required

Facility insurance protects the building, not your stuff. Your homeowners or renters insurance may already cover off-site storage — check before buying the facility's coverage, which is often overpriced.

Free Moving Tools & Guides

Helpful resources to plan your move.

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Movers, Moving & Storage